I managed to finish reading "A Christmas Carol Murder" by Heather Redmond on New Year's Eve afternoon 2020. It was actually pretty good and the story ended nicely. I guess due to copyright issues, the actual characters had to have different names. Instead of Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character was named Emmanuel Screws. Charles Dickens was a writer turned dectective. I don't want to give away the entire story, but between solving a mystery (the murder of Jacob Harley) and being falsely accused of fathering a child, Dickens had his hands full. The paternity question of baby Timothy jeopardized Dickens' relationship with his fiancee Kate, as well as his employment status. All in all, a good read and a great way to end a horrible year! As for how I'm starting off the year 2021, after everything that happenedin 2020, "Loving" by Danielle Steel might be just what I need! Bettina Daniels lived a fairytale existnece of glamour, endless parties, and luxury among America's top celebrities--simply because she was the beautiful daughter of famous American author Justin Daniels. Then, in one moment of tragedy, her father was dead, and Bettina discovered the truth--he had spent every dime he'd ever earned and run up millions in debt. At 18, penniless and alone, she had lost everything except her father's dearest friend, Ivo Stewart. A wealthy, handsome publisher of sixty-two, he offered Bettina a way out: marriage. But only for a time. What lay ahead for Bettina was a life filled with shocks and surprises--and eventually a chace to become a playwright, and a writer like her father. Having learned her lessons dearly, Bettina blossoms into her own persson at last. I hope I'm not disappointed with this one: I wasn't impressed with "Season Of Passion," which was the last book I read by Danielle Steel. I hope I fare a little bit better on this "journey" but only time will tell!
